The act of falling down, or of bowing in humility or adoration; primarily, the act of falling on the face, but usually applied to kneeling or bowing in reverence and worship.
A reverential bow. A Full Prostration is performed by crossing oneself and touching the knees, hands and forehead to the ground. A Half or Waist Prostration is performed by crossing oneself and bending over and touching the right hand (fingers) to the ground. The Waist Prostration ( called a Metania) replaces the full prostration on the days we do not fully bow.
In Buddhism, a prostration (Pali: panipÄta, Skt.: namas-kara, Ch.: li-pai, Jp.: raihai) is used to show reverence to the Triple Gem (the Buddha, his teachings and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration.